The last ride #11
Imagine for a moment that there was only one more. A single day, a final chapter, a last ride. Of all the miles covered and all the roads ridden, which would draw you back to experience them one more time.
My “last' ride would be one I’ve already done. It would be a ride in which I was riding for others. As much enlightenment as we all gain through riding, my last ride would have a purpose other then myself. I feel lucky to have had many experiences, but nothing beats a good landscape paired with lending a hand to those in need.
2015, I rode my bicycle around the country of Iceland fixing and repairing every child's bike I could get my hands on. I had free time in Oct of 2015 to do whatever trip I wanted, of course I was thinking bicycles. After some thought, I realized it was another selfish trip to further gain MY experiences. I wanted to do a trip in which I could still enjoy the ride, but had a purpose.
With the help of friends and strangers donating money to this idea of riding around Iceland (not just the Ring Road, but going around some of the major peninsulas as well, ouch) fixing and repairing children bikes. Salomon Anaya and I dragged 90lbs each of extra weight on our cyclocross bikes…Mind you, I only weight 120lbs.
We had hundreds of inner tubes, tools, lubes, cable, housing and small parts with us. With not much extra personal gear other then camping supplies, we went head first into Icelands cold, sleet, rainy, cloudy, sunless, muddy conditions with smile on our faces.
So, for my last ride I would love to do another ride in which I can go freely. I would pull over and assist someone with a bicycle in which needs help fixing. I remind myself that in other countries the bicycle is a huge tool in their everyday lives and is just a toy for some of ours.
Take whatever “Trait” you posses and give it back to humanity with no expectation. Do it willingly in hopes you inspire others to share their traits. I wonder if any of those Icelandic children question the dark little asian man, riding his bike in the pouring rain, offering to fix their broken bicycle for nothing in return.
There’s endless adventure within humanity, but how many of us have an adventure to help humanity?
-Adam K Masters
RENDEZ-VOUS IN MALLORCA
Ben Sumner // Passionate ex pro, still out there taking KOM's // @bensumner1
If I had one ride left it would have to be adrenaline filled, so there would be no tranquil back drops or beautiful lakes unfortunately!
Back in my racing days I used to head out to Palma, Mallorca on a one-way flight with the intention of doing as many miles as possible until I totally cracked. It was well known by all the cyclists out there that if you wanted to get a good ride in, head to the beach front for 10am and hang around until you see a collection of lean legs gather outside the usual cafe.
... 40 or so riders from all over the world would spin out. The days would start with plenty of steady climbing until dropping down the final descent of the day but this is when things started to get chewy! The back lanes of Mallorca is where the real riding would happen as you turned back in the direction of home. Through and off for 40 miles down lanes no wider than a Fiat 500, lined out behind Helmut, Hermann & Jürgen who you met only a few hours ago and now your life is in their hands!
By the time you could smell the sea, riders had been shelled left, right and centre! These rides took no prisoners and it was every man for himself! Although no ceremony was going to be held, sights on winning the Palma town sign sprint felt pivotal. Once war was done we would roll into Old Town Palma for a well-earned coffee and cake before recovering to do it all over again.
Seems like an amusing day out for my last ride and very easy to only think of the good times from the comfort of my flat!